2021 - Page 10 of 11 - Clairemont Communications

2021 V-Day Gift Guide (At-Home Ed.)

February 4, 2021January 31, 2023 Cherith AndesBlog, In Our Community, Inspirationalbusiness PR, Local Valentine's Gifts, Raleigh Valentine's, Valentine's Gift Guide

Staying at home this Valentine’s? We collected some of Raleigh’s favorite experiences, gifts and goodies to create a fun evening at home – both DIY and Done-For-You style.

In fact, it turns out that others love our picks as well! RAL Today published a similar version of our gift guide to share the love across the Triangle!

DIY Couple Kits

Make an evening of DIY deliciousness. DECO offers a Camp Craft Cocktail kit; add your own spirit to these pre-made Mason jars brimming with dried fruit, sugar cubes and garnishes to create your favorite sangria, cranberry martini or more. Or pick up a Culture for Health cheese-making kit (yup! It’s a thing!) to pair with your favorite wine.

Vita Vite Date Night Wine Basket

Curate your favorite date night into a take-home basket. Vita Vite, Raleigh’s wine bar + art gallery (and Clairemont client!), will personalize a collection of goodies — like a bottle of wine or bubbly, a cheese and charcuterie plate to-go, a cheeseboard and cutlery set, a wine-themed candle, wine tumblers, cocktail recipe books and more. You can also grab a single item to brighten your friend’s day. Visit in person to select, call (919) 322-0649 or email info@vitaviteraleigh.com.

Valentine’s (Virtual) Cooking Class

Cook up your own chef-inspired Valentine’s dinner together at home. Join a two-hour virtual cooking class hosted by HL Catering with Chef Houston to create a Chorizo Carbonara and Chocolate Cobbler feast. Check out the details here!

“Sweetheart Meal” To Go

Don’t feel like cooking? Order a French-influenced Valentine’s dinner for two from Farmhouse Café. Its delicious menu features mouthwatering highlights like French cheese and charcuterie for two, Beef Wellington, Salmon en Croute, Chocolate Pot au Crème … and much more! Get the details!

A Picture: Worth a Thousand Words

With so much of our time spent at home, treat your special someone to a fresh look for their favorite room. Vita Vite offers a collection of art by local southern artists, ranging from small pieces to fireplace-worthy beauties. One-of-a-kind pieces for one-of-a-kind friends. Get a quick look at a few pieces! Visit in person to see them all or email info@vitaviteraleigh.com.

There’s No Such Thing as Too Much Bling

Put a personal twist on a traditional Valentine’s favorite. Gift one of Audra Style’s sassy-meet-classy jewelry items; commission a personalized piece from Quercus or take home one of its delicately detailed gem-stone rings, necklaces or earrings.

Forget Love; I’d Rather Fall in Chocolate

Can’t not love this sweet deal! Inspired by the founder’s 10-year-old daughter long ago, Azurelise Chocolates now offers some of the area’s most decadent truffles — which The News & Observer once described as ” … not your typical prettified confections … They’re truffles for the purist, unadorned squares of chocolate that let their flavor do the talking.” Order today!

Want to share in the love? Get ideas for your business growth?

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Staying on Top in 2021: PR Trends

February 1, 2021January 31, 2023 Clairemont InternBlog, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agency2021, artificial intelligence, diversity and inclusion, LinkedIn, Media, online, PR, trends

This time last year, no one anticipated the economic and social disruption that would be caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nor could we have predicted the months of social and professional acclimating that lay ahead — wearing masks in public, distancing from loved ones and friends, and working from home.

As we approach the one-year “anniversary” of when our lives turned upside down, it remains difficult to imagine what this year will hold. Luckily, public relations is all about identifying creative and strategic ways to come out on top — even in the toughest of situations. While we don’t have a crystal ball (otherwise we’d be able to tell you when this whole thing would be over … ), we are keeping a close eye on the following PR trends that we think will emerge in 2021.

Artificial intelligence (AI) will take a front seat.

The new relationship between humans and intelligent machines is enabling PR professionals to create data-driven campaigns, automate repetition-based tasks, analyze online conversations, predict a crisis and even produce personalized content. AI offers brands an unprecedented ability to increase revenue and reduce costs through more intelligent automation and machine-powered predictions. That’s why McKinsey predicts AI will create up to $2.6 trillion in business value in marketing and sales alone.

New communication channels are here to stay (and will continue to grow!).

The heightened use of software like Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Slack is a rising tide that can’t be turned. From broadcast news to press conferences, the pandemic has forced all organizations to consider other ways to connect with stakeholders. What was once unconventional is now less expensive, less taxing and helps brands connect with an audience like never before. In 2021, PR and marketing collateral with virtual and digital elements will have even more reach and engagement.

2021 will be a new era for accountability.

For all the talk around issues like diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in 2020, this year will be a time for action to speak louder than words. For example, Forbes offers a list of six DEI resolutions that companies should focus on in order to thrive in 2021 and beyond. There’s no “one size fits all” strategy, but there are innumerable DEI lessons that 2020 showed us and that companies must commit to in order to be sustainable. This year, try making a commitment to donate a percentage of revenue to organizations that support the inclusion of underrepresented groups or to diversify the workplace. Actions will speak louder than words!

Earned, paid, social and owned media will continue to integrate.

Gone are the days where we had three teams in their own silos: advertising, public relations and marketing. The pandemic fully reinforced the intersection of these disciplines and today is about integrating paid, earned, shared and owned media because it is true what they say … three heads are better than one. When the PESO Model is working at its best, it can help you establish authority. This is your industry golden ticket.

LinkedIn will take center stage.

2020 became one of the most fruitful years for LinkedIn. The platform rolled out LinkedIn Live, Events, Polls and Stories. This year will become the year when marketers get a hold of all these different tools and explore LinkedIn opportunities in a new way. To implement these features into your PR strategy, focus on encouraging conversation with your followers. Create polls that your audience will want to vote on, ask irresistible open-ended questions in updates, share candid photos from your workday in stories, or post about celebrating career milestones.

We’re excited to see how the industry will evolve this year, and we hope you are too. Let us know your 2021 prediction in the comments!

Curious about what was in vogue last year? Check out our blog reflecting on the biggest trends of 2020.

By Clairemont intern Maia Guterbock, a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Books, Backpacking and B2C

January 29, 2021January 31, 2023 Clairemont InternBlog, Professional Development, The Clairemont Teaminternship, new hire, PR Intern, Storytelling, writing

I grew up with my head in the clouds, and my nose in a book.

Books were my way to learn about faraway places and fascinating people. Before I discovered that I had a passion for traveling, books were my way to fly around the globe without leaving my living room.

As I got older, I began to wonder how I could build a future out of an affinity for words. Lucky for me, I didn’t have to do much soul searching to find the perfect fit. Being the Tar Heel born-and-bred that I was, the second that I learned about UNC’s nationally top-ranked Hussman School of Journalism and Media, I was sold.

*I promise that this face doesn’t reflect my love of being a Tar Heel!*

Stumbling upon PR

In the fall of 2017, I entered the Hussman School planning to study journalism. In the spring I took a PR class as an elective and instantly fell in love. I realized that while I love to write, I love the strategy and planning that goes behind PR campaigns just as much. Writing to further strategic goals? Hello, dream job!

Over my (almost!) four years at UNC, I’ve been fortunate enough to study abroad twice and visit 11 countries, all while earning the degree of my dreams. While studying in Sydney, Australia in the fall of 2019, I gained great first-hand PR experience on a global scale by interning with boutique PR firm Hollinshead Communications.

At Hollinshead, I dipped my paintbrush into many buckets including working on influencer marketing campaigns and event launches. I also got to work with some amazing clients, my favorite being American Express.

*An open-air cinema event I helped plan and execute for client AmEx.*

Choosing Clairemont

Even before I decided to apply to a job with Clairemont, I had admired the firm’s work for quite some time. However, it wasn’t until my interview that I knew Clairemont was the right fit for me.

At the time, I was nearing the year-and-a-half mark of working as a communications intern for UNC-Chapel Hill’s Information Technology Services (ITS). I loved every second of my internship but knew that it was time to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.

At ITS, I was trusted to work on many different projects, from writing blogs and social media posts to editing videos and taking professional headshots. Because of this experience, I wanted to find the opportunity to continue producing meaningful work in my next internship.

During my interview with Clairemont, I instantly fell in love with the girl-boss atmosphere at the firm. It was also clear that I wouldn’t be expected to fill my time with coffee grabbing, but would get to exercise my creativity on client projects.

I am ecstatic to join the Clairemont team and learn more about PR every step of the way.

By Clairemont intern Anne Claire Foreman, a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Furniture PR: GBS Rebrands as ProtectAll

January 25, 2021January 31, 2023 Cherith AndesBlog, Furniture PR, Public Relationsfurniture industry, Furniture Marketing, Furniture PR, home goods PR

We’re excited to partner with client GBS Enterprises as it embarks on a new company development. A 30+-year leader in the furniture protection services and healthy sleep bed product industry, GBS is rebranding to ProtectAll under the helm of new leadership as it expands its services.

We have to admit; we love the furniture industry and the many marketing campaigns we’ve been privileged to lead. Congratulations to GBS!

GBS Enterprises Rebrands as ProtectAll under New Leadership
– Long-standing Industry Executive Unveils New Vision, Welcomes New Execs and Chooses New Headquarters –

DALLAS, T.X. – January 14, 2021 – GBS Enterprises, a global provider furniture protection services and healthy sleep bed products, relaunched its 30+-year company under the name ProtectAll. Kevin Rupkey took the helm as the company’s CEO, joined by new industry leadership, as the headquarters have relocated from Deerfield Beach, Florida to Dallas, Texas.

“The new banner of ProtectAll ushers in an exciting era of growth, as we expand our product lines to include robust offerings beyond warranty and sleep products,” said Rupkey, ProtectAll, CEO. “The team’s rich expertise coupled with this expanded vision positions us to provide the highest quality, most innovative, customer-centric services and products in the industry.”

Rupkey, an insurance and warranty industry veteran, took the helm of ProtectAll as chief executive officer in August of 2020. Rupkey’s tenure entails c-level positions at cornerstone companies such as GE, Warrantech, Assurant Consumer Services, Home Buyers Resale Warranty Co., Bankers Warranty Group and Zale Life Insurance Co.

“ProtectAll is making significant investments in the company’s growth through personnel development, refreshed processes and new business lines,” Jeff McWey, former CEO and current executive chairman, ProtectAll. “Kevin is a great choice; his commitment to world-class customer service, and his fresh vision positions us to expand our footprint in the industry to better serve customers and partners across the globe.”

New executives also joined Rupkey at ProtectAll, bringing approximately 65 years of collective industry experience:

Bryan Myers, senior vice president of operations: Myers joined ProtectAll from Peloton Interactive, where he expanded extended warranty annual revenue from $13 million to $50 million, redesigned the programs and launched extended warranty programs in Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany.
Michele Gloeckler, vice president of sales: With approximately 20 years of warranty industry experience, Gloeckler touts a track record for obtaining and closing new business opportunities with Top 100 appliance and electronics retailers.

GBS Enterprises (aka: Genie B’s Specialties) was founded in 1988 as a specialty sheet producer to the trucking industry. GBS was one of the first companies to enter the mattress protection market, and in 2009, the company launched the ProtectAll brand — now one of the largest furniture warranty providers in the United States servicing Top 200 furniture retailers. In 2011, Jeff McWey took the lead as president and CEO, developed an expanded scope of products and services, and placed GBS on the international stage. In 2015, McWey launched Healthy Sleep to provide industry-leading healthy sleep products; the line remains a sister brand to ProtectAll today. McWey has taken the position of executive chairman at ProtectAll to support Rupkey in ProtectAll’s future growth.

ABOUT PROTECTALL

ProtectAll, a leading global provider of furniture protection services, provides the highest quality, most innovative, customer-centric services and products in the industry. Its core warranty services offer protection programs for indoor furniture, outdoor furniture, adjustable beds and area rugs. Sister brand Healthy Sleep offers premium mattress top-of-bed products, such as mattress and pillow protectors, mattress and pillow encasements, pillows, sheets and blankets. The company operates multiple facilities around the country, including its headquarters in Dallas, Texas, a distribution/call center in Reno, Nevada, and a large distribution center in Savannah, Georgia. For more information, please contact Claudia Ojeda at cojeda@gbsent.com, or visit www.myprotectall.com.

4 Tips for News Coverage

January 11, 2021January 31, 2023 Cherith AndesBlog, Public Relations, Raleigh PR AgencyMedia Pitching, media relations, media stories, news coverage, news pitching, reporter relationshiops

Leads. Newsworthy stories. Relationships with reporters.

Clairemont is known for its successful media relations campaigns that secure effective, targeted coverage for our clients. We’re sharing a few resources from our mastery on what gets attention and how to make the news.

(And once you’re ready to get your news covered, we’re here for a consult!)

4 Pertinent Pitching and Publication Tips

Oh, do we have good news for you! Here are four fundamental resources to help you perfect your performance in all things press-related.

Drop us a line!

Clairemont Communications

Year: 2021